Method for the production of cyclic ketones

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a cyclic ketone having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms, which comprises at least the steps
         (a) oxidation of a composition (I) comprising at least one cyclic alkene which has from 7 to 16 carbon atoms and at least one C—C double bond by means of dinitrogen monoxide to give a composition (A),   (b) treatment of the composition (A) with at least one base to give a composition (B),   (c) hydrogenation of the composition (B) in the presence of at least one catalyst to give a composition (C),   (d) purification of the composition (C), comprising at least the steps
           (di) thermal treatment of the composition (C) with at least one acid or at least one catalyst comprising at least one transition metal,   (dii) further purification by a method selected from the group consisting of distillation, extraction and crystallization.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage application (under 35 U.S.C. §371) of PCT/EP2007/056395, filed Jun. 27, 2007, which claims benefit of European application 06116264.0, filed Jun. 29, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a cyclic ketone having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms, which comprises at least the oxidation of a composition (I) comprising at least one cyclic alkene which has from 7 to 16 carbon atoms and at least one C—C double bond by means of dinitrogen monoxide to give a composition (A), treatment of the composition (A) with at least one base to give a composition (B), hydrogenation of the composition (B) in the presence of at least one catalyst to give a composition (C) and purification of the composition (C), comprising at least a thermal treatment of the composition (C) with at least one acid or at least one catalyst comprising at least one transition metal, and further purification by a method selected from the group consisting of distillation, extraction and crystallization.

The oxidation of an olefinic compound by means of dinitrogen monoxide to form an aldehyde or a ketone is described, for example, in GB 649,680 or the equivalent U.S. Pat. No. 2,636,898. In both documents, it is disclosed in general terms that the oxidation can in principle be carried out in the presence of a suitable oxidation catalyst. The more recent scientific articles by G. I. Panov et al., “Non-Catalytic Liquid Phase Oxidation of Olefines with Nitrous Oxide. 1. Oxidation of Cyclohexene to Cyclohexanone”, React. Kinet. Catal. Left. Vol. 76, No. 2 (2002) pp. 401-405, and K. A. Dubkov et al., “Non-Catalytic Liquid Phase Oxidation of Olefines with Nitrous Oxide. 2. Oxidation of Cyclopentene to Cyclopentanone”, React. Kinet. Catal. Left. Vol. 77, No. 1 (2002) pp. 197-205, likewise describe oxidations of olefinic compounds by means of dinitrogen monoxide. A scientific article “Liquid Phase Oxidation of Olefines with Nitrous Oxide to Carbonyl Compounds” by E. V. Starokon et al. in Adv. Synth. Catal. 2004, 346, 268-274, also reports a mechanistic study of the oxidation of olefins by means of dinitrogen monoxide in the liquid phase.

The synthesis of carbonyl compounds from olefins using dinitrogen monoxide is also described in various international patent applications. Thus, WO 03/078370 discloses a process for preparing carbonyl compounds from aliphatic olefins using dinitrogen monoxide. The reaction is carried out at temperatures in the range from 20 to 350° C. and pressures of from 0.01 to 100 atm. WO 03/078374 discloses a corresponding process for preparing cyclohexanone. According to WO 03/078372, cyclic ketones having from 4 to 5 carbon atoms are prepared. According to WO 03/078375, cyclic ketones are prepared from cyclic olefins having from 7 to 20 carbon atoms under these process conditions. WO 03/078371 discloses a process for preparing substituted ketones from substituted olefins. WO 04/000777 discloses a process for reacting diolefins and polyolefins with dinitrogen monoxide to form the corresponding carbonyl compounds.

WO 2005/030690 and WO 2005/030689 describe processes for preparing cyclododecanone, in which an oxidation by means of dinitrogen monoxide is carried out in one process step. WO 2005/030690 describes a process for preparing cyclododecanone by oxidation of 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene (CDT) by means of N₂O to form cyclododeca-4,8-dienone and subsequent hydrogenation of cyclododeca-4,8-dienone to give cyclododecanone.

As an alternative, cyclododecanone, for example, is prepared, for example, by air oxidation of cyclododecane in the presence of boric acid to form cyclododecyl borate, hydrolysis of the borate to cyclododecanol and subsequent dehydrogenation of the cyclododecanol. Cyclododecane itself is obtained by complete hydrogenation of cyclododecatriene. A description of this industrial process for the synthesis of cyclododecanone may be found, inter alia, in T. Schiffer, G. Oenbrink, “Cyclododecanol, Cyclododecanon and Laurolactam” in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 6th Edition, 2000, Electronic Release, Wiley VCH.

A further process starts out from the epoxidation of cyclododecatriene, with cyclododecanone being obtained from the epoxide after hydrogenation and rearrangement. Such a process is described, for example, in EP 1 018 498 A2.

DE 103 44 595 A and DE 103 44 594 A describe processes for preparing cyclododecanone, in which an oxidation by means of dinitrogen monoxide is carried out in one process step.

In all processes, the purity of the crude products without additional purification is not sufficient for some applications. Organic compounds having oxygen-comprising groups, in particular, are frequently still comprised in the products obtained in excessively large amounts.

In the oxidation of olefins by means of dinitrogen monoxide, it is possible for, for example, aidehydes to be formed as by-products, as described, for example, in Panov et al., Adv. Synth. Catal. (2004) 346, 268-274.

This is problematical insofar as cyclic ketones are required in high purity for various applications. Thus, for example, cyclododecanone is an important intermediate in the preparation of, for example, laurolactam, dodecanedicarboxylic acid and polyamides derived therefrom, for example Nylon 12 or Nylon 6.12. The impurities such as aidehydes comprised in the cyclic ketones can be removed only with difficulty by conventional purification methods such as distillation, extraction or recrystallization, since the functional groups and the number of carbon atoms are similar. For this reason, a very complicated purification, for example by multistage distillation or crystallization, is necessary in these cases. These purification methods are therefore complicated and costly.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It was therefore an object of the present invention to provide a process by means of which cyclic ketones can be obtained in high purity in a simple manner and at low cost.

A further object of the present invention was to provide a purification method by means of which, in particular, oxygen-comprising organic compounds can be separated off from the cyclic ketones.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a process for preparing a cyclic ketone having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms, which comprises at least the steps

-   -   (a) oxidation of a composition (I) comprising at least one         cyclic alkene which has from 7 to 16 carbon atoms and at least         one C—C double bond by means of dinitrogen monoxide to give a         composition (A),     -   (b) treatment of the composition (A) with at least one base to         give a composition (B),     -   (c) hydrogenation of the composition (B) in the presence of at         least one catalyst to give a composition (C),     -   (d) purification of the composition (C), comprising at least the         steps         -   (di) thermal treatment of the composition (C) with at least             one acid or at least one catalyst comprising at least one             transition metal,         -   (dii) further purification by a method selected from the             group consisting of distillation, extraction and             crystallization.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It has surprisingly been found that, in particular, a mixture of cyclic ketones with by-products such as cyclic and open-chain aldehydes having an identical or similar number of carbon atoms can be selectively depleted in the by-products by firstly treating the mixture obtained after the oxidation with a base, for example with a base at elevated temperature, and, after the hydrogenation, treating the mixture obtained with an acid or a catalyst comprising at least one transition metal. For the purposes of the present invention, the term “depleted” means that the ratio of aldehyde to cyclic ketone is reduced and, in particular, the cyclic ketone is essentially not attacked.

Furthermore, the process of the invention makes it possible to improve the yield of cyclic ketones since the treatment with base and acid or catalyst comprising transition metal is generally very selective and less product is therefore lost in the subsequent purification by distillation or crystallization.

For the purposes of the present patent application, the term “treatment” refers to contacting of a composition with the respective compound, i.e. with at least one base in step (b) or with at least one acid or with at least one catalyst comprising at least one transition metal in step (d). According to the invention, the composition (C) is thermally treated with an acid or a catalyst comprising at least one transition metal in step (di).

The process of the invention enables cyclic ketones having a purity of, for example, >99.5% to be obtained. The process of the invention can easily be combined with existing plants, so that no costly modifications are necessary. Furthermore, the process of the invention makes it possible to improve the yield of cyclic ketones since the treatment with base and acid or catalyst comprising transition metal is generally very selective and less product is therefore lost.

The reaction in step (a) can generally be carried out using all procedures in which the olefin and dinitrogen monoxide react with one another.

In step (a) of the process of the invention, the cyclic olefin is oxidized by reaction with dinitrogen monoxide. It is possible to use at least one suitable solvent or diluent for the reaction of the cyclic olefin with dinitrogen monoxide. Such solvents or diluents are, inter alia, cyclic alkanes, for example cyclododecane, or cyclododecanone or saturated aliphatic or aromatic, optionally alkyl-substituted hydrocarbons. Essentially all customary solvents and/or diluents are suitable, provided that they have neither a C—C double bond nor a C—C triple bond nor an aldehyde group.

In general, the addition of a solvent or diluent is not necessary in the reaction of the cyclic olefin with dinitrogen monoxide.

The temperatures in the reaction of the cyclic olefin with dinitrogen monoxide are preferably in the range from 140 to 350° C., more preferably in the range from 180 to 320° C. and particularly preferably in the range from 200 to 300° C.

It is possible to carry out the reaction of the cyclic olefin with dinitrogen monoxide at two or more temperatures or in two or more temperature ranges which are each within the abovementioned limits. Temperature changes during the course of the reaction can be carried out continuously or discontinuously.

The pressures in the reaction of the cyclic olefin with dinitrogen monoxide are preferably above the autogenous pressure of the starting material or product mixture at the selected reaction temperature or the selected reaction temperatures. The pressures are preferably in the range from 1 to 1000 bar, more preferably in the range from 40 to 300 bar and particularly preferably in the range from 50 to 200 bar.

The pressure in the reaction vessel, preferably in a least one tube reactor, is generally greater than or equal to, preferably greater than, the autogenous pressure of the starting material mixture or the product mixture at the selected reaction temperature or the selected reaction temperatures in the reaction vessel. In general, the reaction pressures are in the range from 1 to 14 000 bar, preferably in the range from the autogenous pressure to 3000 bar, particularly preferably in the range from the autogenous pressure to 1000 bar and very particularly preferably in the range from the autogenous pressure to 325 bar, for example from 50 to 200 bar.

It is possible to carry out the reaction of the cyclic olefin with dinitrogen monoxide at two or more pressures or in two or more pressure ranges which are each within the abovementioned limits. Pressure changes during the course of the reaction can be carried out continuously or discontinuously.

The reactors which can be used for the reaction of the cyclic olefin with dinitrogen monoxide are not subject to any particular restrictions. In particular, the reaction can be carried out batchwise or continuously. Accordingly, it is possible to use, for example, at least one CSTR (continuous stirred tank reactor) having at least one internal and/or at least one external heat exchanger, at least one tube reactor, at least one shell-and-tube reactor or at least one loop reactor as reactors. It is likewise possible to configure at least one of these reactors so that it has at least two different zones. Such zones can differ, for example, in terms of reaction conditions such as the temperature or the pressure and/or in terms of the geometry of the zone, for example the volume or cross section. If the reaction is carried out in two or more reactors, it is possible to use two or more identical types of reactor or at least two different types of reactor.

The reaction of the cyclic olefin with dinitrogen monoxide is preferably carried out in a single reactor. For example, preference is given to a continuous reaction.

The residence time of the reaction mixture in the at least one reactor in the reaction of the cyclic olefin with dinitrogen monoxide is generally in the range up to 20 hours, preferably in the range from 0.1 to 20 hours, more preferably in the range from 0.2 to 15 hours and particularly preferably in the range from 0.25 to 10 hours.

In the feed supplied to the reaction of dinitrogen monoxide with the cyclic olefin, the molar ratio of dinitrogen monoxide to the cyclic olefin is generally in the range from 0.05 to 4, preferably in the range from 0.06 to 1, more preferably in the range from 0.07 to 0.5 and particularly preferably in the range from 0.1 to 0.4.

The reaction of the cyclic olefin with dinitrogen monoxide can be carried out so that a conversion of the cyclic olefin in the range up to 50%, preferably in the range from 5 to 30% and particularly preferably in the range from 10 to 20%, is achieved at a very high selectivity to the cyclic ketone. The selectivity, based on the cyclic ketone, is generally at least 90%, preferably at least 92.5% and particularly preferably at least 93%.

According to the invention, it is in principle possible to react any cyclic olefin having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms or any mixture of two or more different cyclic olefins having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms with dinitrogen monoxide. Suitable olefins are, for example, cyclic olefins having one or more C—C double bonds.

According to the invention, the cyclic olefin particularly preferably has 2, 3 or 4 C—C double bonds.

For the purposes of the invention, the cyclic olefin preferably has at least two C—C double bonds.

In a further embodiment, the present invention therefore also provides a process as described above for preparing a cyclic ketone having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms, wherein the cyclic alkene has three C—C double bonds.

Further preference is given to cyclic olefins having one or more C—C double bonds, for example cycloheptene, cyclooctene, cyclodecene, cycloundecene, cyclododecene, 1,5-cyclooctadiene, 1,5-cyclododecadiene or 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene.

Particular preference is given to using cyclododecene or 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene as olefin. Mention may here be made of, for example, 1,5,9-cyclododecatrienes, for example cis,trans,trans-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene or cis,cis,trans-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene or all-trans-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene.

Preference is given to using cis,trans,trans-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene as cyclododecatriene.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention therefore provides a process for preparing a ketone as described above, wherein the olefin is selected from the group consisting of cyclododecene and cyclododecatriene, in particular 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene.

In a further embodiment, the present invention therefore also provides a process as described above for preparing a cyclic ketone having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms, wherein the cyclic alkene is cyclododecatriene.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, cyclododecatrienes, preferably 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene, are used as cyclic olefin comprised in the composition (I).

The present invention therefore also provides, according to a further embodiment, a process as described above for preparing a cyclic ketone having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms, wherein the cyclic olefin is a cyclododecatriene.

Cyclododecatriene is preferably obtained by trimerization of butadiene.

In a further embodiment, the present invention therefore also provides a process as described above for preparing a cyclic ketone having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms, wherein the cyclic olefin is cyclododecatriene which has been prepared from butadiene by means of trimerization.

1,5,9-cyclododecatrienee can be prepared, for example, by trimerization of pure 1,3-butadiene, as described, for example, in T. Schiffer, G. Oenbrink, “Cyclododecatriene, Cyclooctadiene, and 4-Vinylcyclohexene”, Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 6th Edition (2000), Electronic Release, Wiley VCH. In this process, for example, cis,trans,trans-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene, cis,cis,trans-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene and all-trans-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene are formed in the trimerization in the presence of Ziegler catalysts, as described, for example, in H. Weber et al. “Zur Bildungsweise von cis,trans,trans-Cyclododecatriene-(1,5,9) mittels titanhaltiger Katalysatoren” in: Liebigs Ann. Chem. 681 (1965), pp. 10-20. Cyclododecatriene can be prepared by trimerization of 1,3-butadiene using a titanium catalyst.

While all suitable titanium catalysts can in principle be used for the trimerization, the titanium tetrachloride/ethylaluminum sesquichloride catalyst described in the article by Weber et al. is particularly useful.

The butadiene used for the trimerization particularly preferably has a purity determined by gas chromatography of at least 99.6% and more preferably at least 99.65%. The 1,3-butadiene used particularly preferably comprises no 1,2-butadiene and no 2-butyne within the detection limits.

This trimerization generally gives mixtures comprising at least 95% by weight, preferably at least 96% by weight and more preferably at least 97% by weight of cis,trans,trans-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene. For example, the mixtures particularly preferably comprise about 98% by weight of cis,trans,trans-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene.

This mixture comprising cis,trans,trans-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene can be used as such for the reaction in step (a). It is likewise possible to separate off the cis,trans,trans-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene from the mixture by means of at least one suitable method, for example preferably by means of at least one distillation, and use it in the reaction in step (a).

For the purposes of the present invention, it is in principle possible to react any cyclododecatriene or any mixture of two or more different cyclododecatrienes with dinitrogen monoxide in step (a). Examples which may be mentioned here are, inter alia, 1,5,9-cyclododecatrienes, for example, cis,trans,trans-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene or cis,cis,trans-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene or all-trans-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene.

In a very particularly preferred embodiment of the process of the invention, an isomer mixture comprising predominantly cis,trans,trans-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene, trans,trans,trans-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene or cis,cis,trans-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene as cyclododecatriene. Preference is given to using an isomer mixture comprising more than 60% by weight, based on the isomer mixture, of cis,trans,trans-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene, more preferably more than 70% by weight, in particular more than 80% by weight, particularly preferably more than 90% by weight, for example more than 91% by weight, more than 92% by weight, more than 93% by weight, more than 94% by weight, more than 95% by weight, more than 96% by weight, more than 97% by weight or more than 98% by weight.

In general, the reaction according to the invention of cis,trans,trans-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene with dinitrogen monoxide in step (a) results in a cyclododeca-4,8-dienone isomer mixture comprising at least two of the isomers cis,trans-cyclododeca-4,8-dienone, trans,cis-cyclododeca-4,8-dienone and trans,trans-cyclododeca-4,8-dienone. According to the invention, preference is given to an isomer mixture in which the trans,cis isomer and cis,trans isomer are formed in approximately equal amounts and the trans,trans isomer is formed in only minor amounts compared to the other two isomers being obtained. An example of a typical isomer mixture accordingly comprises the isomers in molar ratios of about 1:1:0.08.

The reaction according to the invention of composition (I) comprising cyclododecatriene with dinitrogen monoxide in step (a) generally gives, as composition (A), a mixture comprising cyclododecadienone, preferably cyclododeca-4,8-dienone, and possibly unreacted starting material and/or possibly at least one by-product. Depending on the further use and/or work-up, the cyclododecadienone, preferably cyclododeca-4,8-dienone, can be separated off from this mixture.

The cyclododeca-4,8-dienone can be separated off from this mixture by at least one suitable method. Preference is here given to separation by distillation. The distillation here is generally carried out at a pressure in the range from 0.001 to 2 bar, preferably in the range from 0.01 to 1 bar and particularly preferably in the range from 0.02 to 0.5 bar.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the process of the invention, a composition (b) comprising cyclododeca-4,8-dienone is hydrogenated in step (c) to give a composition (C) comprising cyclododecanone.

The reaction of the cyclic olefin with dinitrogen monoxide can in principle be carried out in the presence of a catalyst, but also without addition of a catalyst.

For the purposes of the present invention, dinitrogen monoxide can be used in pure form or in the form of a gas mixture comprising dinitrogen monoxide.

It is in principle possible to use any gas mixture comprising dinitrogen monoxide in step (a) of the process of the invention. It is also possible, according to the invention, to purify or concentrate the gas mixture comprising dinitrogen monoxide before it is used in the reaction in step (a). A suitable purification method comprises, for example, absorption of the gas mixture in an organic solvent or water, desorption of the gas mixture from the laden organic solvent or the laden water and setting of the content of nitrogen oxides NO_(x) in the gas mixture to not more than from 0.01 to 0.001% by volume, based on the total volume of the gas mixture. Such a process is described, for example, in DE 10 2004 046 167.8, whose relevant contents are fully incorporated by reference into the present patent application.

The gas mixture comprising dinitrogen monoxide which is used can in principle originate from any source. In particular, it is possible to use the offgas of a process as described in DE 10 2004 046 167.8 as dinitrogen monoxide source.

The term “gas mixture” as used in the context of the present invention refers to a mixture of two or more compounds which are in the gaseous state at ambient pressure and ambient temperature. At a different temperature or different pressure, the gas mixture can also be in another state of matter, for example liquid, and will for the purposes of the present invention continue to be referred to as gas mixture.

According to the invention, it is possible to use a mixture of various offgases.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one offgas comprising dinitrogen monoxide originates from an adipic acid plant, a dodecanedioic acid plant, a hydroxylamine plant and/or a nitric acid plant, with the latter in turn preferably being operated using at least one offgas from an adipic acid plant, a dodecanedioic acid plant or a hydroxylamine plant.

According to the invention, the gas mixture can be used in gaseous form. However, it is also possible firstly to treat the gas mixture comprising dinitrogen monoxide so that the gas mixture or dinitrogen monoxide is present in liquid or supercritical form and then use it. The gas mixture or dinitrogen monoxide can be liquefied by appropriate choice of the pressure or temperature. It is likewise possible, for the purposes of the present invention, to dissolve the gas mixture in a solvent.

According to the invention, the composition (I) usually comprises the cyclic olefin in an amount of more than 80% by weight, preferably from 85 to 99.999% by weight, in particular from 90 to 99.99% by weight, particularly preferably from 92 to 99.9% by weight, for example from 95 to 99.8% by weight. The composition (I) can usually comprise further compounds, in particular organic compounds, in addition to the cyclic olefin.

The composition (I) can comprise, for example, vinylcyclohexene, cyclooctadiene and, for example, bicyclic isomers of 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene as organic compounds. It is also possible for traces of C₁₆ components, C₂₄ components or higher oligomers to be comprised.

In the reaction in step (a) of the process of the invention, the cyclic olefin comprised in the composition (I) is oxidized by means of dinitrogen monoxide. This gives a composition (A) comprising at least one cyclic ketone.

The composition (A) in the context of the present invention comprises at least one cyclic ketone having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms. According to the invention, the composition (A) comprises the cyclic ketone in an amount of more than 5% by weight, preferably more than 10% by weight, more preferably from 10 to 90% by weight, in particular from 11 to 50% by weight, particularly preferably from 12 to 40% by weight, very particularly preferably from 13 to 30% by weight, for example from 14 to 20% by weight or from 15 to 18% by weight. The composition (A) usually comprises further compounds, in particular organic compounds, for example unreacted starting material or organic compounds having oxygen-comprising groups, for example alcohols, aldehydes or epoxides, in addition to the cyclic olefin. Here, the organic compounds can have, in particular, the same number of carbon atoms as the cyclic ketone comprised in the composition (A).

The composition (A) can be used directly in step (b) of the process of the invention. However, it is also possible to subject the composition (A) to an intermediate treatment before step (b). For example, unreacted starting material can be separated off from the composition (A). It is likewise possible for by-products of the oxidation, for example diketones, to be separated off. According to the invention, unreacted starting material and diketones can preferably be separated off. The separation can, for example, be carried out by distillation in one or more columns, preferably in at least two columns.

According to the invention, the composition (A) is treated with at least one base in step (b). The process conditions for the treatment can be varied within a wide range, as long as it is ensured that the concentration of at least one aldehyde is reduced.

According to the invention, the amount of the aldehyde is reduced in this treatment while the cyclic ketone is essentially not attacked. Here, open-chain aldehydes are, according to the invention, preferably degraded to an extent of more than 90%, in particular more than 95% and particularly preferably 99.99%. Cyclic aldehydes having an exocyclic aldehyde group are preferably degraded to an extent of up to 30%, in particular up to 35% and particularly preferably up to 40%. According to the invention, the cyclic ketone is degraded only to an extent of from 0.5 to 2.0%, preferably from 0.75 to 1.75%, in particular from 1.0 to 1.5%.

In general, the treatment with base is continued until at least 90%, preferably at least 95%, of at least one aldehyde, preferably at least one open-chain aldehyde, have been reacted.

According to the invention, the treatment with at least one base in step (b) is preferably carried out for a period of from 1 minute to 10 hours, in particular from 5 minutes to 5 hours, particularly preferably from 10 to 60 minutes, more preferably from 20 to 50 minutes.

The treatment in the process of the invention can, in particular, be carried out at a temperature of from 100 to 250° C., preferably from 110 to 220° C., particularly preferably from 120 to 200° C., more preferably from 150 to 190° C.

In a further embodiment, the present invention therefore also provides a process as described above for preparing a cyclic ketone having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms, wherein the treatment in step (b) is carried out at a temperature of from 100 to 250° C. for a period of from 1 minute to 10 hours.

All possible types of reactor are suitable for the treatment with the base. For a continuous reaction, preference is given to using reactors having tube characteristics, e.g. tube reactors, cascades of stirred vessels or comparable reactors. For a discontinuous reaction (batch process), simple stirred vessels are well suited. The reaction preferably proceeds essentially homogeneously in the liquid phase.

The treatment in step (b) preferably comprises two substeps (b1) and (b2), with the composition (A) being treated with at least one base in step (b1) and the base being separated off in step (b2).

In a further embodiment, the present invention therefore also provides a process as described above for preparing a cyclic ketone having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms, wherein the step (b) comprises the substeps (b1) and (b2):

-   -   (b1) treatment of the composition (A) with at least one base     -   (b2) removal of the base.

The removal of the base in (b2) can be carried out by all customary methods, for example by distillation. Particularly when NaOH or KOH is used as base, the removal is preferably effected by evaporation, for example in the form of a falling film evaporator, a wiped film evaporator or a helical tube evaporator, or by extraction of the base, for example with water.

For the purposes of the present invention, it is in principle possible to use all suitable bases. Preference is given to using organic or inorganic bases whose conjugate acid has a pK_(a) relatively to water of >9. For the purposes of the present invention, preference is given to, for example, trialkylamines, alkali metal alkoxides or alkaline earth metal alkoxides and tetraalkylammonium, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxides. Very particular preference is given to sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide.

In a further embodiment, the present invention therefore also provides a process as described above for preparing a cyclic ketone having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms, wherein the base is selected from among sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide.

The base can, according to the invention be used either as a pure substance or as a solution. Liquid bases are preferably used without addition of a solvent. Solid bases are preferably used as a solution. The conjugate acid is preferably used as solvent. The particularly preferred bases NaOH and KOH are preferably used as concentrated aqueous solution. A base used as a solution preferably has a concentration of at least 25% by weight, in particular at least 40% by weight, particularly preferably about 50% by weight.

The amount of base used in step (b) can be varied within a wide range. It is possible to use from 0.01 to 5 mol of base/mol of aldehyde. Preference is given to using from 0.05 to 2 mol of base/mol of aldehyde. Particular preference is given to using from 0.1 to 1 mol of base/mol of aldehyde.

The treatment with the base is carried out in the temperature range from 100 to 250° C. The reaction is preferably carried out in the range from 110 to 220° C. The reaction is particularly preferably carried out in the range from 150 to 190° C. The duration of the treatment is determined by the temperature selected, the type and amount of base and by the desired degree of depletion for the aldehydes. The conditions are preferably selected so that the duration of the treatment is from 1 minute to 10 hours, for example from 10 minutes to 5 hours, in particular from 20 minutes to 4 hours, preferably from 30 minutes to 3 hours, more preferably from 40 minutes to 2 hours, particularly preferably from 50 minutes to 1.5 hours.

In a preferred embodiment, the treatment with the base is carried out at a temperature of from 160 to 18° C. for a time of from 30 to 40 minutes. The treatment is preferably carried out using 0.1 to 0.15% by weight of sodium hydroxide, based on the total composition. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the treatment with the base is carried out at a temperature of from 160 to 185° C. for a time of from 30 to 40 minutes using from 0.1 to 0.15% by weight of sodium hydroxide, based on the total composition.

According to the invention, the composition (B) comprises at least one cyclic ketone. The composition (B) usually comprises the cyclic ketone in an amount of more than 40% by weight, preferably from 50 to 99.9% by weight, in particular from 55 to 99% by weight, particularly preferably from 60 to 95% by weight.

The composition (B) can, for example, also comprise further organic compounds, for example 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene, 1,2-epoxycyclododeca-5,9-diene, cycloundecadiene carbaldehyde, C₁₂-diketones or traces of oligomeric compounds. The composition (B) can comprise, for example, 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene in amounts of from 0.2 to 0.6% by weight, 1,2-epoxycyclododeca-5,9-diene in amounts of from 0.01 to 0.1% by weight, cycloundecadiene carbaldehyde in amounts of from 0.5 to 1.2% by weight, C₁₂-diketone in amounts of from 0.5 to 3.0% by weight or traces of oligomeric compounds.

After at least part of the base has been separated off, the composition can be subjected to further intermediate treatments.

The cyclic olefin used in the process of the present invention preferably has at least two C—C double bonds, i.e., for example, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

In a further embodiment, the present invention therefore also provides a process as described above for preparing a cyclic ketone having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms, wherein the cyclic olefin has at least two C—C double bonds.

If the cyclic olefin has more than one C—C double bond, preference is given to only one of the C—C double bonds being oxidized in the oxidation in step (a) of the process of the invention. According to the invention, the cyclic ketone comprised in the composition (A) has at least one C—C double bond, particularly preferably at least two double bonds.

According to the invention, the oxidation in step (a) is carried out so that very little backmixing, particularly preferably no backmixing, occurs in the reaction.

After the oxidation in step (a), the at least one remaining C—C double bond of the cyclic ketone comprised in the composition (A) or composition (B) is, after step (b), reacted further in step (c) according to the invention.

According to the invention, the composition (B) obtained in step (b) is hydrogenated in step (c).

In the hydrogenation in step (c), the cyclic ketone comprised in composition (B) is hydrogenated. This gives a composition (C) comprising a cyclic ketone which preferably no longer has any C—C double bond.

The composition (C) usually comprises the cyclic ketone in an amount of more than 80% by weight, preferably from 85 to 99.9% by weight, in particular from 88 to 99.9% by weight, particularly preferably from 90 to 99.6% by weight, more preferably from 92 to 99.0% by weight. The composition (C) usually comprises further compounds, in particular organic compounds, preferably ones having oxygen-comprising groups, for example alcohols, aidehydes or epoxides, in addition to the cyclic ketone. The organic compounds can, in particular, have the same number of carbon atoms as the cyclic ketone comprised in the composition (C).

The secondary components are, in particular, comprised in amounts of less than 20% by weight, in particular less than 15% by weight, particularly preferably less than 12% by weight, in the composition (C). For example, the secondary components are comprised in an amount of from 0.001 to 10% by weight, in particular from 0.1 to 9% by weight, preferably from 0.5 to 5% by weight, particularly preferably from 1 to 4% by weight.

According to the present invention, the composition (B) can be used directly in step (c). However, it is likewise possible for the purposes of the present invention for the composition (B) firstly to be treated and then be used in step (c).

All suitable catalysts can be used for the hydrogenation in step (c). In particular, it is possible to use at least one homogeneous catalyst or at least one heterogeneous catalyst or both at least one homogeneous catalyst and at least one heterogeneous catalyst.

The catalysts which can be used preferably comprise at least one metal of transition group 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11 of the Periodic Table of the Elements. The catalysts which can be used according to the invention more preferably comprise at least one element, selected from the group consisting of Re, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu and Au. In particular, the catalysts which can be used according to the invention comprise at least one element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Pd, Pt and Cu. The catalysts which can be used according to the invention particularly preferably comprise Pd, Pt, Ru or Ni.

Suitable homogeneous catalysts are, for example, ones comprising at least one element of transition group 8, 9 or 10. Further preference is given to homogeneous catalysts comprising Ru, Rh, Ir and/or Ni. Examples which may be mentioned are RhCl(TTP)₃ and RU₄H₄(CO)₁₂. Particular preference is given to homogeneous catalysts which comprise Ru. For example, use is made of homogeneous catalysts as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,180,870, 5,321,176, 5,177,278, 3,804,914, 5,210,349, 5,128,296, US B 316,917 and in D. R. Fahey in J. Org. Chem. 38 (1973) pp. 80-87, whose relevant disclosure is fully incorporated by reference into the present patent application. Such catalysts are, for instance, (TPP)₂(CO)₃Ru, [Ru(CO)₄]₃, (TPP)₂Ru(CO)₂Cl₂, (TPP)₃(CO)RuH₂, (TPP)₂(CO)₂RuH₂, (TPP)₂(CO)₂RuClH or (TPP)₃(CO)RuCl₂.

Another suitable catalyst is, in particular, at least one heterogeneous catalyst, in the case of which at least one of the abovementioned metals can be used as metal as such, as Raney catalyst and/or applied to a customary support. Preferred support materials are, for instance, activated carbons or oxides such as aluminum oxides, silicon oxides, titanium oxides or zirconium oxides. Mention may likewise be made of, inter alia, bentonites as support materials. If two or more metals are used, these can be present separately or as an alloy. Here, it is possible to use at least one metal as such and at least one other metal as Raney catalyst or at least one metal as such and at least one other metal applied to at least one support, or at least one metal as Raney catalyst and at least one other metal applied to at least one support or at least one metal as such and at least one other metal as Raney catalyst and at least one other metal applied to at least one support.

The catalysts used can, for example, also be precipitated catalysts. Such catalysts can be produced by precipitating their catalytically active components from their salt solutions, in particular from the solutions of their nitrates and/or acetates, for example by addition of solutions of alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal hydroxides and/or carbonates, for example as sparingly soluble hydroxides, hydrated oxides, basic salts or carbonates, subsequently drying the precipitates obtained and then converting these by calcination at generally from 300 to 700° C., in particular from 400 to 600° C., into the corresponding oxides, mixed oxides and/or mixed-valence oxides which are reduced by treatment with hydrogen or hydrogen-comprising gases in the range of generally from 50 to 700° C., in particular from 100 to 400° C., to the respective metals and/or oxidic compounds having a lower oxidation state and converted into the actual catalytically active form. The reduction is generally continued until no more water is formed. In the production of precipitated catalysts which comprise a support material, the precipitation of the catalytically active components can be carried out in the presence of the respective support material. The catalytically active components can advantageously be precipitated simultaneously with the support material from the respective salt solutions.

Preference is given to using hydrogenation catalysts which comprise the metals or metal compounds which catalyze the hydrogenation deposited on a support material.

Apart from the abovementioned precipitated catalysts which comprise a support material in addition to the catalytically active components, support materials in which the catalytic hydrogenation-active component has been applied to a support material, for example by impregnation, are also generally suitable for the process of the invention.

The manner in which the catalytically active metal is applied to the support is generally not critical and the application can be effected in a variety of ways. The catalytically active metals can, for example, be applied to the support materials by impregnation with solutions or suspensions of the salts or oxides of the respective elements, drying and subsequent reduction of the metal compounds to the respective metals or compounds having a lower oxidation state by means of a reducing agent, preferably hydrogen or complex hydrides. Another possible way of applying the catalytically active metals to the supports is to impregnate the supports with solutions of salts which are easily decomposed thermally, for example nitrates or complexes which are easily decomposed thermally, for example carbonyl or hydrido complexes of the catalytically active metals, and to heat the support which has been impregnated in this way to temperatures in the range from 300 to 600° C. in order to thermally decompose the absorbed metal compounds. This thermal decomposition is preferably carried out under a protective gas atmosphere. Suitable protective gases are, for example, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen or the noble gases. Furthermore, the catalytically active metals can be applied to the catalyst support by vapor deposition or by flame spraying. The content of the catalytically active metals in these supported catalysts is in principle not critical for the success of the process of the invention. In general, higher contents of catalytically active metals in these supported catalysts lead to higher space-time yields than do lower contents. In general, supported catalysts whose content of catalytically active metals is in the range from 0.1 to 90% by weight, preferably in the range from 0.5 to 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the catalyst, are used. Since these content figures are based on the total catalyst including support material but the various support materials have very different specific gravities and specific surface areas, it is also conceivable that values below and above these figures can be used without this having an adverse effect on the result of the process of the invention. Of course, a plurality of catalytically active metals can also be applied to the respective support materials. Furthermore, the catalytically active metals can be applied to the support by the process of DE-A 25 19 817, EP 1 477 219 A1 or EP 0 285 420 A1. In the catalysts according to the abovementioned documents, the catalytically active metals are present as alloys which are produced by thermal treatment and/or reduction of, for example, the support material which has been impregnated with a salt or complex of the abovementioned metals.

The activation of both the precipitated catalysts and the supported catalysts can also be carried out in situ at the beginning of the reaction by means of the hydrogen present. Preference is given to activating these catalysts separately before they are used.

As support materials, it is generally possible to use the oxides of aluminum and titanium, zirconium dioxide, silicon dioxide, clay minerals such as montmorillonites, silicates such as magnesium or aluminum silicates, zeolites such as the structural types ZSM-5 or ZSM-10, or activated carbon. Preferred support materials are aluminum oxides, titanium dioxides, silicon dioxide, zirconium dioxide and activated carbon. It is of course also possible to use mixtures of various support materials as supports for catalysts which can be used in the process of the invention.

According to the invention, very particularly preferred catalysts are ones which comprise Ni, Pt and/or Pd and are applied to a support. Very preferred supports are or comprise activated carbon, aluminum oxide, titanium dioxide and/or silicon dioxide.

The at least one heterogeneous catalyst can, for example, be used as suspended catalyst and/or as fixed-bed catalyst.

If, for example, the hydrogenation in step (c) of the process of the invention is carried out using at least one suspended catalyst, the hydrogenation is preferably carried out in at least one stirred reactor or in at least one bubble column or in at least one packed bubble column or in a combination of two or more identical or different reactors.

For the present purposes, the term “different reactors” refers both to different types of reactor and to reactors of the same type which differ, for example, in terms of their geometry, for example their volume and/or their cross section, and/or in terms of the hydrogenation conditions in the reactors.

If, for example, the hydrogenation in step (c) of the process of the invention is carried out using at least one fixed-bed catalyst, then preference is given to using at least one tube reactor such as at least one shaft reactor and/or at least one shell-and-tube reactor, with a single reactor being able to be operated in the upflow mode or the downflow mode. When two or more reactors are used, it is possible to operate at least one in the upflow mode and at least one in the downflow mode.

If, for example, a heterogeneous catalyst is used as suspended catalyst in the hydrogenation, this is, for the purposes of the present invention, preferably separated off by means of at least one filtration step. The catalyst which is then separated off in this way can be recirculated to the hydrogenation or passed to at least one other desired process. It is likewise possible to work up the catalyst, for example in order to recover the metal comprised in the catalyst.

If, for example, a homogeneous catalyst is used in the hydrogenation in step (c), this is, for the purposes of the present invention, preferably separated off by means of at least one distillation step. This distillation can be carried out using one or two or more distillation columns. The catalyst which is then separated off in this way can be recirculated to the hydrogenation or be passed to at least one other desired process. It is likewise possible to work up the catalyst, for example in order to recover the metal comprised in the catalyst.

Before use in any desired process, for example before recirculation to the process of the invention, both the at least one homogeneous catalyst and the at least one heterogeneous catalyst can, if necessary, be regenerated by means of at least one suitable process.

The heat can be removed from the reactor used according to the invention either internally, for example by means of cooling coils, and/or externally, for example by means of at least one heat exchanger. If, for example, at least one tube reactor is preferably used for the hydrogenation, the reaction mixture is preferably conveyed through an external circuit into which the heat removal is integrated.

If, in a preferred embodiment of the process of the invention, the hydrogenation is carried out continuously, further preference is given to using at least two reactors, more preferably at least two tube reactors, more preferably at least two tube reactors connected in series and particularly preferably precisely two tube reactors connected in series. The hydrogenation conditions in the reactors used can in each case be identical or different and are in each case in the above-described ranges.

If the hydrogenation in step (c) is carried out over at least one suspended catalyst, the residence time is generally in the range from 0.05 to 50 hours, for example in the range from 0.5 to 50 hours, preferably in the range from 1 to 30 hours and particularly preferably in the range from 1.5 to 25 hours, very particularly preferably in the range from 1.5 to 10 hours. Here, it is immaterial whether a main reactor and an after-reactor or additionally further reactors are used according to the invention. In all these embodiments, the total residence time is within the abovementioned ranges.

If the hydrogenation in the process of the invention is carried out continuously over at least one fixed-bed catalyst, the space velocity over the catalyst (kg of feed/liter of catalyst ×h) is generally in the range from 0.03 to 20, preferably in the range from 0.05 to 5 and particularly preferably in the range from 0.1 to 2. It is immaterial whether a main reactor and an after-reactor or additionally further reactors are used according to the invention. In all these embodiments, the total space velocity is within the abovementioned ranges.

In general, the hydrogenation temperature in the main reactor is in the range from 0 to 350° C., preferably in the range from 20 to 300° C., more preferably in the range from 50 to 250° C. and particularly preferably in the range from 80 to 220° C.

In the hydrogenation according to the invention, the hydrogen pressure in the main reactor is generally in the range from 1 to 325 bar, preferably in the range from 5 to 300 bar, more preferably in the range from 10 to 250 bar and particularly preferably in the range from 15 to 150 bar.

In the hydrogenation according to the invention in step (c), it is possible to use at least one suitable solvent or diluent. As solvents or diluents, mention may basically be made of all solvents and diluents which are not hydrogenated or reacted in another way under the hydrogenation conditions, e.g. alcohols, ethers, hydrocarbons, water, aromatics or ketones, in particular toluene or cyclododecane.

In a preferred embodiment of the process of the invention, the hydrogenation in step (c) is carried out without addition of a solvent or diluent.

According to the invention, the composition (C) can be used directly in step (d). However, it is also possible for the composition (C) to be subjected to an intermediate treatment prior to step (d).

The process of the invention further comprises step (d) comprising the steps (di) and (dii). In step (di), the composition (C) is treated thermally with an acid or with a catalyst comprising at least one transition metal. In step (dii), the composition (C) which has been treated in this way is purified further by distillation, extraction and/or crystallization. The distillation, extraction and/or crystallization can be carried out by all customary methods known to those skilled in the art.

Suitable solvents for the crystallization of step (dii) are, for example, alcohols, ethers, hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, preferably toluene, xylene, methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, acetone, diethyl ketone or methyl tert-butyl ether. According to the invention, it is likewise possible for no solvent to be used but instead a melt crystallization to be carried out.

The purification by distillation can be carried out in one or more columns. It is preferably carried out at pressures of from 1 to 2000 mbar. Particularly in the case of cyclic ketones having more than 8 carbon atoms, preference is given to pressures of from 5 to 500 mbar, particularly preferably from 10 to 200 mbar. The temperatures (temperature at the bottom) are in the range from 100 to 300° C. The temperature in the purification by distillation is preferably from 130 to 250° C., particularly preferably from 150 to 220° C.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the purification by distillation is carried out at a pressure of from 1 to 2000 mbar, preferably from 5 to 500 mbar, particularly preferably from 10 to 200 mbar, and a temperature at the bottom of from 100 to 300° C., preferably from 130 to 250° C., particularly preferably from 150 to 220° C.

If a column is used in the purification by distillation, the desired product is preferably obtained via a side offtake. It is possible, according to the invention, to obtain the desired product in liquid or gaseous form. High boilers are preferably separated off at the bottom, and low boilers are preferably separated off at the top. If two columns are used, the desired product preferably goes together with high boilers via the bottom to the second column from which it can then be obtained via the top or once again as a side offtake stream. According to the invention, it is also possible to use dividing wall columns.

It is also possible, according to the invention, for further treatments to be carried out between the individual steps of the process. In particular, it is possible according to the invention to separate off the acid or the catalyst comprising at least one transition metal after step (di).

Before the distillation, extraction or crystallization in step (dii), it can be advantageous to remove the acid or the catalyst comprising at least one transition metal from the treated composition (C), particularly when the catalyst is present in homogeneously dissolved form. In the case of heterogeneous acids or catalysts, this can be achieved, for example, by filtration, and in the case of homogeneous acids or catalysts, possible methods are, for example, extraction, for example with water, or a distillation in which the acid is, depending on the boiling point, separated off at the top or at the bottom and the catalyst is preferably separated off at the bottom.

After the acid or the catalyst has been separated off, it can advantageously be reused in step (di). According to the invention, it is also possible for the acid or the catalyst to be subjected to an intermediate treatment, for example a purification, after it has been separated off and before it is reused in step (di).

In a further embodiment, the present invention therefore also provides a process as described above for preparing a cyclic ketone having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms, wherein the acid or the catalyst comprising at least one transition metal is separated off between the steps (di) and (dii).

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention therefore also provides a process as described above, wherein the acid is separated off after step (di) and is subsequently reused in step (di).

The treatment with acid or with a catalyst comprising at least one transition metal is preferably carried out at temperatures of from 30 to 350° C., for example from 60 to 350° C., in particular from 100 to 27° C., particularly preferably from 130 to 260° C.

In a further embodiment, the present invention therefore also provides a process as described above for preparing a cyclic ketone having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms, wherein the treatment in step (di) is carried out at a temperature of from 60 to 350° C.

It has surprisingly been found that when compositions comprising at least one cyclic ketone having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms are treated with acids or with a catalyst comprising at least one transition metal, cyclic ketones can be obtained in high yields and purities of above 99.5% in a subsequent further purification, for example by distillation, extraction and/or crystallization. The cyclic ketone itself is not attacked or only very insignificantly attacked in the treatment. According to the invention, the compounds separated off are, in particular, alcohols, aldehydes and epoxides.

Based on the cyclic ketone comprised in the composition, less than 10% of the ketone are lost according to the invention, preferably less than 5%, in particular less than 3%.

The treatment in step (di) can be carried out either in the gas phase or in the liquid phase. The pressure can be set within a wide range. It can be, for example, in the range from 0.001 to 300 bar, preferably from 0.01 to 200 bar, particularly preferably from 0.1 to 100 bar. According to the invention, preference is given to a pressure at which any low boilers formed can be removed from the system by distillation, i.e. at a pressure of from 0.25 to 70 bar, preferably from 0.35 to 50 bar, particularly preferably from 0.5 to 30 bar.

The treatment in step (di) can be carried out batchwise or continuously, with a continuous treatment being preferred. The residence times are, for example, in the range from 0.1 to 50 hours, preferably from 0.2 to 24 hours, for example from 0.5 to 15 hours, in particular from 1 hour to 19 hours, particularly preferably from 1.5 to 10 hours.

In a further embodiment, the present invention therefore also provides a process as described above for preparing a cyclic ketone having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms, wherein the treatment in step (di) is carried out for a time of from 0.1 to 50 hours.

The acids used according to the invention are Brönsted or Lewis acids, with mixtures of two or more acids also being able to be used. The acids used can be homogeneously dissolved or heterogeneous. Heterogeneous acids can, according to the invention, be used in suspended form or as fixed beds.

In a further embodiment, the present invention therefore also provides a process as described above, wherein the acid is in homogeneous or heterogeneous form.

The homogeneously soluble acids used according to the invention are, for example, mineral acids or organic acids. Examples are sulfuric acid, sulfonic acids, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, phosphorous acid, perchloric acid, heteropolyacids described in EP 0 158 229 B1, C1 to C30 carboxylic acids such as formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, benzoic acid or the like.

Preferred homogeneous acids are phosphoric acid, phosphorous acid, sulfuric acid, sulfonic acids and heteropolyacids such as tungstophosphoric acid. Particular preference is given to phosphoric acid and tungstophosphoric acid.

The content of homogeneously soluble acid is generally in the range from 0.01 to 10% by weight, based on the cyclic ketone. Preference is given to using a homogeneously soluble acid in an amount of from 0.05 to 5% by weight, particularly preferably from 0.1 to 1% by weight.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a homogeneously soluble acid is used in an amount of from 0.1 to 1% by weight.

After the cyclic ketone has been separated off by distillation, at least part of the acid is preferably recirculated to the treatment step.

Heterogeneous acids which are suitable for the purposes of the invention are, for example, metal-oxidic solids which can, according to the invention, have been treated with, for example, mineral acids such as phosphoric acid or sulfuric acid to increase their acid strength. Preference is given to using oxides or mixed oxides of B, Al, Si, Sn, Ti, Cr, Zr, Fe and Zn, which may comprise further constituents. Examples of suitable oxidic compounds are zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, aluminum oxide, silicon oxide and combinations thereof, e.g. aluminosilicates such as zeolites. It is possible to use, for example, sheet silicates or natural clay minerals. It is likewise possible to use heterogeneous acids having an organic base, e.g. acid ion exchangers.

If the process of the invention using heterogeneous acids is carried out batchwise, use is generally made of from 0.1 to 50% by weight of acid, based on the cyclic ketone. Preference is given to using a heterogeneous acid in an amount of from 0.5 to 20% by weight, particularly preferably from 1 to 10% by weight.

If the process is carried out continuously using a heterogeneous acid, a throughput over the catalyst, i.e. the space velocity over the heterogeneous acid, of from 0.01 to 10 kg of cyclic ketone/liter of catalyst ×h is preferably set. In particular, a space velocity over the catalyst of from 0.05 to 2 kg of cyclic ketone/liter of catalyst ×h, particularly preferably from 0.1 to 1 kg of cyclic ketone/liter of catalyst ×h, is set.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention therefore provides a process as described above, wherein a heterogeneous acid is used at a space velocity over the catalyst of from 0.01 to 10 kg of cyclic ketone/liter of catalyst ×h.

The catalysts used according to the invention comprise at least one transition metal, with catalysts comprising two or more transition metals or mixtures of two or more catalysts comprising at least one transition metal also being able to be used. The catalysts used can be homogeneously dissolved or heterogeneous. Heterogeneous catalysts can, according to the invention, be used in suspended form or as fixed beds.

In a further embodiment, the present invention therefore also provides a process as described above, wherein the catalyst comprising at least one transition metal is in homogeneous or heterogeneous form.

As catalysts comprising at least one transition metal, it is possible to use all customary catalysts in the process of the present invention. Possible transition metals are in principle all transition metals known to those skilled in the art.

The homogeneously soluble catalysts used according to the invention are described, for example, in Houben-Weyl, Methoden der Organischen Chemie, Volume IV/1c, pp. 45-67, Thieme Verlag Stuttgart, 1980.

Preferred homogeneous catalysts comprise Ru, Rh and/or Pd as transition metal. Particular preference is given to Ru.

The content of homogeneously soluble catalyst is generally in the range from 0.001 to 1% by weight, based on the cyclic ketone. Preference is given to using a homogeneously soluble catalyst in an amount of from 0.005 to 0.5% by weight, particularly preferably from 0.01 to 0.1% by weight.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a homogeneously soluble catalyst is used in an amount of from 0.01 to 0.1% by weight.

After the cyclic ketone has been separated off by distillation, at least part of the catalyst is preferably recirculated to the treatment step (di).

Heterogeneous catalysts which are suitable according to the invention are described, for example, in Houben-Weyl, Methoden der Organischen Chemie, Volume IV/1c, pp. 16-26, Thieme Verlag Stuttgart, 1980. They comprise at least one transition metal. Preferred transition metals are Ni, Cu, Pd, Ru, Ir, Pt, Co and/or Rh. Particular preference is given to Pd, Ru, Pt, and very particular preference is given to Ru and Pd.

The heterogeneous catalysts can be used in suspended form or preferably in the form of a fixed bed. The catalysts comprising at least one transition metal can comprise the transition metal as element or in the form of a chemical compound, for example as oxide. Mixtures of various transition metals can comprise the elements or their compounds as mixtures or as alloys. It is also possible to use elements which are not transition metals or compounds thereof as catalyst components, for example in Raney catalysts in which, for example, Al or aluminum oxide is used, preferably together with Ni, Cu or Ru.

Further examples of heterogeneous catalysts which are suitable for the purposes of the invention are Ru on aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, barium oxide, calcium oxide, Ru on activated carbon, Pd on aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, barium oxide, calcium oxide, Pd on activated carbon, Pt on aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, barium oxide, calcium oxide and Pt on activated carbon. As support materials, it is also possible to use mixtures or compounds of various materials, for example clay minerals or zeolites.

The catalyst used in the hydrogenation, for example, is also suitable according to the invention.

The catalysts comprising at least one transition metal can, according to the invention, also have been applied to a support. The supports are, for example, metal-oxidic, basic, neutral or acidic solids which, according to the invention, may have been treated with mineral acids such as phosphoric acid or sulfuric acid to increase the acid strength. Preference is given to using oxides or mixed oxides of B, Al, Si, Sn, Ti, Cr, Zr, Fe and Zn, which can comprise further constituents. Examples of suitable supports are zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, aluminum oxide, silicon oxide and combinations thereof, e.g. aluminosilicates such as zeolites. It is also possible to use, for example, sheet silicates or natural clay minerals.

If the process of the invention using heterogeneous catalysts is carried out batchwise, use is generally made of from 0.1 to 50% by weight of catalyst, based on the cyclic ketone. Preference is given to using a heterogeneous catalyst in an amount of from 0.5 to 20% by weight, particularly preferably from 1 to 10% by weight.

If step (di) of the process is carried out continuously using a heterogeneous catalyst, a throughput over the catalyst, i.e. the space velocity over the heterogeneous catalyst, of from 0.01 to 10 kg of cyclic ketone/liter of catalyst ×h is preferably set. In particular, a space velocity over the catalyst from 0.05 to 2 kg of cyclic ketone/liter of catalyst ×h, particularly preferably from 0.1 to 1 kg of cyclic ketone/liter of catalyst ×h, is set.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention therefore provides a process as described above, wherein a heterogeneous catalyst is used in step (d) at a space velocity over the catalyst from 0.01 to 10 kg of cyclic ketone/liter of catalyst ×h.

According to the invention, it is also possible for the acid or the catalyst comprising at least one transition metal to be separated off in step (dii). However, it is likewise possible. for the purposes of the present invention, for the acid or the catalyst to be separated off after step (di) and before step (dii). Possible methods of separation are, for example, distillation, extraction, precipitation or crystallization.

In a further embodiment, the present invention therefore also provides a process as described above, wherein at least part of the acid or the catalyst comprising at least one transition metal is separated off after step (di) and before step (dii).

In the process of the present invention, it is possible for at least one intermediate treatment to be carried out between the steps (a) and (b) or between the steps (b) and (c) or between the steps (c) and (d) or between the steps (a) and (b) and (b) and (c) and (c) and (d). For example, it is possible for unreacted starting material or by-products to be removed completely or partly in the intermediate treatment. If an intermediate treatment of the composition (A) is carried out after step (a), this gives, according to the invention, a composition (A′) which is then used in step (b). It is likewise possible, according to the invention, for an intermediate treatment of the composition (B) to be carried out after step (b), which then gives, according to the invention, a composition (B′) which is then used in step (c). It is likewise possible, according to the invention, for an intermediate treatment of the composition (C) to be carried out after step (c), which then gives, according to the invention, a composition (C′) which is then used in step (d).

In a further embodiment, the present invention therefore also provides a process as described above for preparing a cyclic ketone having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms, wherein unreacted starting material or by-products are removed from the composition (A) after step (a) and before step (b) to give a composition (A′).

For the purposes of the invention, it is likewise possible for an intermediate treatment to comprise a plurality of different steps which can be identical or different.

Further possible intermediate treatments are, for example:

-   -   heating of the reaction mixture;     -   alteration of the pressure under which the reaction mixture is.         In this context, preference is given, for example, to increasing         the pressure by means of, for example, at least one pump and/or         at least one compressor;     -   introduction of at least one starting material. In particular,         solvents can be introduced.     -   Removal of product formed by means of at least one suitable         measure, for example preferably by means of at least one         distillation step.     -   Removal of unreacted starting material by means of at least one         suitable measure, for example preferably by means of at least         one distillation step.

The process of the invention gives a cyclic ketone in a purity of >95%, for example >98%, in particular >99%, determined by gas-chromatographic methods. The cyclic ketone is preferably obtained in a purity of >99.5%, preferably >99.8%, particularly preferably >99.9%.

The combination according to the invention of a treatment with a base, in which aldehydes, in particular, are attacked, and treatment with an acid or a catalyst comprising transition metal, in which predominantly epoxides and alcohols are attacked, gives particularly pure products. At the same time, the process of the invention is simple in terms of apparatus and is inexpensive.

The present invention is illustrated below with the aid of examples.

EXAMPLES Comparative Example 1

The oxidation of 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene by means of N₂O and the work-up of the reaction product mixture were carried out in a manner analogous to Example 7 of WO 2005/030690.

The resulting distillate comprised 97% of cyclododeca-4,8-dienone and about 2.8% of open-chain and cyclic aidehydes (4,8,11-dodecatrienal, cycloundecadiene carbaldehyde). 500 g of the distillate were hydrogenated over 50 ml of a 5% Pd/activated carbon catalyst at about 120° C. and a hydrogen pressure of 30 bar for 5 hours in a 1 liter autoclave. The catalyst was subsequently separated from the hydrogenation product by filtration at about 65° C. The product obtained was subsequently fractionally distilled at 10 mbar (absolute) via a 1 m packed column comprising 5 mm metal mesh rings as packing elements.

75% of the distillation feed used was obtained as cyclododecanone having a purity of 98.8%, 0.2% of unsaturated cyciododecanones, 0.4% of cycloundecane carbaidehyde, 0.2% of dodecanal, 0.3% of dodecanol and traces of further compounds were comprised as secondary components.

Example 2

1,5,9-Cyclododecatriene was oxidized by means of N₂O by the method of Example 7 of WO 2005/030690, with unreacted 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene being separated off in a first column as described there. The bottom product from the first column had the following composition: cyclododeca-4,8-dienone (90% by weight), dodeca-4,8,11-trienal (2.2% by weight), cycloundeca-3,7-diene carbaldehyde (0.9% by weight) and cyclododecenedione (2.1% by weight). 550 g of this mixture were placed in a stirred flask and heated to 160° C. under protective gas (N₂). 2.75 g of a 25% strength aqueous NaOH solution were subsequently added by means of a syringe. The reaction mixture remained clear and homogeneous. Samples were taken at regular intervals and analyzed by means of GC. After 35 minutes, the solution comprised only about 150 ppm by weight of dodeca-4,8,11-trienal and 0.4% by weight of cycloundeca-3,7-diene carbaldehyde. After 95 minutes, the solution comprised only about <30 ppm by weight of dodeca-4,8,11-trienal and 760 ppm by weight of cycloundeca-3,7-diene carbaldehyde.

The content of cyclododeca-4,8-dienone barely changed (88% by weight after 95 minutes). The mixture was freed of high-boiling components in a short path evaporator. 500 g of distillate were obtained.

Example 3

1,5,9-Cyclododecatriene was oxidized by means of N₂O and worked up by the method of Example 7 of WO 2005/030690. It was distilled so that the overhead product of the second distillation column had the following composition: cyclododeca-4,8-dienone (98% by weight), dodeca-4,8,11-trienal (0.2% by weight) and cycloundeca-3,7-diene carbaldehyde (0.7% by weight).

520 g of the overhead product were heated to 160° C. under a protective gas atmosphere (N₂) in a stirred flask. 5.0 g of a 25% strength aqueous NaOH solution were subsequently added by means of a syringe. The reaction mixture remained clear and homogeneous. Samples were taken at regular intervals and analyzed by means of GC. After 35 minutes, the solution comprised less than 20 ppm by weight of dodeca-4,8,11-trienal and only about 0.2% by weight of cycloundeca-3,7-diene carbaldehyde. After 95 minutes, the solution comprised less than 10 ppm by weight of dodeca-4,8,11-trienal and 400 ppm by weight of cycloundeca-3,7-diene carbaldehyde. In contrast, the content of cyclododeca-4,8-dienone barely changed (97% by weight).

Example 4

The 500 g of the distillate from Example 2 were hydrogenated over 50 ml of a 5% Pd/activated carbon catalyst at about 120° C. and a hydrogen pressure of 30 bar for 5 hours in a 1 liter autoclave. The catalyst was subsequently separated off from the hydrogenation product by filtration at about 65° C. The product was subsequently fractionally distilled at 10 mbar (absolute) via a 1 m packed column comprising 5 mm metal mesh rings as packing elements.

85% of the distillation feed used was obtained as cyclododecanone having a purity of 99.8%. 0.03% of cycloundecane carbaldehyde, 0.01% of dodecanol and traces of further compounds were comprised as secondary components.

Example 5

Examples 2 and 4 were repeated with the difference that the filtered hydrogenation product was admixed with 1 g of 85% strength phosphoric acid and heated at 200° C. for 0.5 h. The mixture was subsequently distilled in a short path apparatus in order to separate the product off from the phosphoric acid. The short path distillate obtained was distilled as described in Example 2.

85% of the distillation feed used was obtained in a purity of 99.85%. Unsaturated cyclododecanones, cycloundecane carbaldehyde, dodecanal and dodecanol were no longer detectable in the product.

Example 6

The 500 g of the distillate from Example 2 were hydrogenated over 50 ml of a 5% Pd/activated carbon catalyst at about 120° C. and a hydrogen pressure of 30 bar for 5 hours in a 1 liter autoclave. The catalyst was subsequently separated off from the hydrogenation product by filtration at about 65° C. The product was then treated at 200° C. in the presence of 20 g of TiO₂ for 1 hour, the titanium dioxide was subsequently filtered off and the filtrate was subsequently fractionally distilled at 10 mbar (absolute) via a 1 m packed column comprising 5 mm metal mesh rings as packing elements.

90% of the distillation feed used was obtained as cyclododecanone having a purity of 99.9%. Unsaturated cyclododecanones, cycloundecane carbaldehyde, dodecanal and dodecanol were no longer detectable in the product. 

1. A process for preparing a cyclic ketone having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms which comprises at least the steps (a) oxidizing a composition (I) comprising at least one cyclic alkene which has from 7 to 16 carbon atoms and at least one C—C double bond by means of dinitrogen monoxide to give a composition (A), (b) treating the composition (A) with at least one base to give a composition (B), (c) hydrogenating the composition (B) in the presence of at least one catalyst to give a composition (C), (d) purifying of the composition (C), comprising at least the steps (di) thermal treating the composition (C) with at least one acid or at least one catalyst comprising at least one transition metal, (dii) further purifying by a method selected from the group consisting of distillation, extraction and crystallization.
 2. The process according to claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises the steps (b1) and (b2): (b1) treating the composition (A) with at least one base (b2) removing the base.
 3. The process according to claim 1, wherein the cyclic alkene has at least two C—C double bonds.
 4. The process according to claim 1, wherein the cyclic alkene has three C—C double bonds.
 5. The process according to claim 1, wherein unreacted starting material or by-products are removed from the composition (A) after step (a) and before step (b) to give a composition (A′).
 6. The process according to claim 1, wherein the acid or the catalyst comprising at least one transition metal is separated off between steps (di) and (dii).
 7. The process according to claim 1, wherein the cyclic alkene is 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene.
 8. The process according to claim 1, wherein the cyclic alkene is cyclododecatriene which has been prepared from butadiene by means of trimerization.
 9. The process according to claim 1, wherein the cyclic alkene is cyclododecene.
 10. The process according to claim 1, wherein the base is sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.
 11. The process according to claim 1, wherein the treating in step (b) is carried out at a temperature of from 100 to 250° C. for a period of from 1 minute to 10 hours.
 12. The process according to claim 1, wherein the treating in step (di) is carried out at a temperature of from 60 to 350° C.
 13. The process according to claim 1, wherein the treating in step (di) is carried out for a time of from 0.1 to 50 hours.
 14. A process for preparing a cyclic ketone having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms which comprises at least the steps (a) oxidizing a composition (I) comprising at least one cyclic alkene which has from 7 to 16 carbon atoms and at least one C—C double bond by means of dinitrogen monoxide to give a composition (A), (b) treating the composition (A) with at least one base to give a composition (B), (c) hydrogenating the composition (B) in the presence of at least one catalyst to give a composition (C), (d) purifying of the composition (C), comprising at least the steps (di) thermal treating the composition (C) with at least one acid or at least one catalyst comprising at least one transition metal, (dii) further purifying by a method selected from the group consisting of distillation, extraction and crystallization wherein step (b) comprises the steps (b1) and (b2): (b1) treatment of the composition (A) with at least one base (b2) removal of the base.
 15. The process according to claim 14, wherein the acid or the catalyst comprising at least one transition metal is separated off between steps (di) and (dii).
 16. The process according to claim 14, wherein the cyclic alkene is cyclododecatriene which has been prepared from butadiene by means of trimerization.
 17. The process according to claim 15, wherein the cyclic alkene is cyclododecatriene which has been prepared from butadiene by means of trimerization.
 18. The process according to claim 17, wherein unreacted staffing material or by-products are removed from the composition (A) after step (a) and before step (b) to give a composition (A′).
 19. The process according to claim 18, wherein the acid or the catalyst comprising at least one transition metal is separated off between steps (di) and (dii).
 20. The process according to claim 19, wherein the base is sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide and the treating in step (b) is carried out at a temperature of from 100 to 250° C. for a period of from 1 minute to 10 hours and the treating in step (di) is carried out at a temperature of from 60 to 350° C. for a time of from 0.1 to 50 hours. 